The Civil Service Commission (CSC) has clarified that only civil servants undergoing treatment for serious illnesses are eligible to apply for special medical leave, following confusion arising from recent changes to leave regulations.
The Commission said the revised rules include a relaxation that allows employees suffering from serious illnesses to be granted leave under the category of “special medical leave.” However, officials stressed that the provision is limited to clearly defined medical conditions and is not intended for general or routine health-related absences.
As part of broader efforts to modernise the civil service and improve administrative efficiency, the CSC has amended regulations governing leave in special circumstances. Under the updated framework, employees are now required to submit applications for such leave directly to the Commission, rather than through their respective institutions.
Speaking to PSM News, Ibrahim Rasheed, Councillor General of the CSC’s Legal Affairs Division, said misunderstandings about the revised system have led some employees to submit applications that do not meet the eligibility criteria. He explained that under the original regulations, only employees suffering from serious illnesses—such as cancer—qualify for special medical leave.
Rasheed noted that processing ineligible applications consumes additional time and affects overall service delivery. “When requests are submitted outside the scope of the regulation, it delays the handling of cases that genuinely require urgent attention,” he said.
According to the Commission, applications for special medical leave must generally be submitted at least 15 days before the intended start date. However, provisions have been made to fast-track urgent cases, allowing the CSC to process requests submitted within a shorter timeframe when necessary.
Under the special medical leave category, employees suffering from illness may apply for up to 60 days of leave on their first application. If the leave is required due to a serious illness affecting an immediate family member, employees may apply for up to 30 days.
The CSC said the move to allow direct applications for Special Health Needs Leave is intended to reduce delays by shortening communication channels between government offices and the Commission, ultimately improving efficiency and clarity in the leave approval process.
